Are they allowed....

1Charlie1 Newcomer Nunya

...to tell me I can't smoke outside...........at all. Not within 50', no stipulations, just plain ol can't do it.
We have a separate smoke area and they want to limit smoking in outdoor common areas-got it, but getting out of my car over 200' feet away from the door? To them, so far, the answer is no. Disciplinary action will be taken they say. This CAN'T be legal.
Thoughts?

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

u can't smoke in a federal building. that's binding.

i dunno about smoking outside in open air. unless it's a local/state law i would tell them to "F" off. what does ur NATCA local say? or are u still AD.

ATCinWI Senior Member Illinois

Is the property owned by the FAA? If they say you can't smoke on the property, you might be stuck. I work at a facility where the FAA leases the tower from the airport authority. The FAA said no to smoking on the catwalk, but they have no say out in the parking lot, which the county provides.

If the FAA owns the property, find out where it ends, take one step onto county/city land and light up. If you want to puff one before driving into the parking lot: unless the FAA owns the street leading up to the parking lot, I'd say they have no jurisdiction to stop you.

1Charlie1 Newcomer Nunya

We can smoke indoors. I saw the sheet once, dates back to the Clinton era.
Good point about where their land ends/local begins. I'll look into it.

For clarification, the outside area really in question is a common area-picnic tables, grill, the whole nine. Non-smokers get offended or put off by us smoking out there, thats cool. Whatever. I'm concerned about other outside areas really. Or distance away from the patio.

I think the NATCA local may have helped implement this..................sadly

ROMA Junior Member Queens, NY

I toured N-90 (NY TRACON) and there definitely was a designated smoking room.... big green sign on the door saying "SMOKING ROOM"... i was surprised as shit, it being a fed building and all... and there was an ashtray right outside the front door. Given the option, i'd rather smoke outside unless it's a full out blizzard.

Pants81 Trusted Member Indiana

We just got word from our school councilors that we can smoke in our cars only, with our windows rolled up. This campus is at the Indianapolis Airport. Maybe you can do that at your facility.....I am not a smoker, but I feel this is to harsh. A smoking room or a smoke pit outside sounds fair. I honestly could care less if a controller lit up right next to me on position....I know many people dont share that same view.

ATCinWI Senior Member Illinois

It's kind of funny that they are worried about cigarette smoke at an airport full of exhaust spewing airplanes. One 727 in one takeoff probably puts off as much nasty (and horrible smelling) fumes as a years' worth of smokers.

Radium Epic Member SoCal Tracon

quit smoking imo

ATC_MacGyver MacGyver with the bears.

or you could just light up and see what happens. if they said you can't, then i guess you can't.

atcguruaf Rico Suave AZ

I've found that conformity is often the best solution. In the long run, fighting the man will end up hurting you worse than them (unless you have a fairly large group that is experiencing the same thing).

Oficially, I have no stance on this issue. I don't know what the rules are regarding your particular situation, and I'm sure every facility is different, even if slightly.